INDY DAY 2: Auto Club driver Robert Hight improves but stays No. 2 in U.S. Nationals qualifying

INDY DAY 2: Auto Club driver Robert Hight improves but stays No. 2 in U.S. Nationals qualifying Photo credit: Ron Lewis Photography BROWNSBURG, Ind. (Sept. 2) – Robert Hight maintained the No. 2 position in the Funny Car class after the second day of qualifying for the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals on Saturday at Lucas Oil Raceway, but improved his time significantly in drag racing’s most prestigious race. Hight, driving the Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS, posted a best time of 3.807 seconds at 333.91 mph, the second -quickest time in Funny Car competition. The time came in the evening session, also the third of five sessions over three days of qualifying, and tied the second-quickest of Hight’s career, set in July at Sonoma Raceway in California. The final day of qualifying is Sunday, with two sessions, at 12:45 p.m. and 4:40 p.m. Eastern. Both sessions are part of the annual Traxxas Shootout (first round and finals, respectively), a special race that awards the winner of an eight-car field $100,000. The semifinals will be held in between those qualifying session. Hight also posted the quickest time in the second session earlier Saturday at 3.848 seconds at 336.23 mph. With the second quickest in Friday’s evening session, Hight continues to edge closer to the points lead, and he enters Sunday having already tallied 11 bonus points, with a maximum of eight still up for grabs. “That’s what we came here to do,�?? Hight said. “The only thing we’ve missed out on so far is one bonus point. We ran in the .80s in the cool, and in the heat, that .84 today, that was an impressive run. That’s what we need to look forward to for tomorrow, to win this Traxxas Shootout. Three of those, I think that’ll get the job done. “Good job to the team. We were really pushing tonight. We were trying to run in the .70s and 340 mph, but it put some cylinders out down there. It’s pretty hard to be disgusted with a 3.80. There’s only a couple drivers who have ever run 3.80. “But when your sights are set high like ours, we’re trying. We’re wanting to raise the bar and run a big number. “I’ve been in the Traxxas Shootout final the last three years – it’s time to win this thing.�?? Hight, Courtney Force and John Force remained 2-3-4 in Funny Car, with Courtney Force improving her elapsed time with a pass of 3.837 seconds at 334.90 mph in her Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS. John Force’s quickest run came Friday, when he turned in a time of 3.849 seconds at 336.74 mph in his PEAK Coolant & Motor Oil Chevrolet Camaro SS. All three Funny Car drivers have set their track-bests in time and speed this weekend. In the Top Fuel category, Brittany Force jumped from No. 12 Friday to No. 8 after the two Saturday sessions, taking a best time of 3.734 seconds at 269.83 mph in Saturday’s evening session, which was good enough for No. 6 at the time. Her first run Saturday, 3.747 seconds at 329.50 mph, came in the opening-round of the Top Fuel category’s Traxxas Shootout. While Force matched Tony Schumacher on elapsed time, Schumacher edged her at the line to win on a holeshot. Elimination rounds begin at 11 a.m. Monday. Courtney Force (Photo credit: Gary Nastase and Auto Imagery) John Force (Photo credit: Gary Nastase and Auto Imagery) Brittany Force (Photo credit: Gary Nastase and Auto Imagery) About John Force Racing John Force Racing, Inc., based in Yorba Linda, Calif., and Brownsburg, Ind., is a professional sports dynasty, one that has earned 18 NHRA championships and claimed 254 professional victories in Funny Car (250) and Top Fuel (4). Led by team owner and driver John Force, a 16-time Funny Car Champion, 1996 Driver of the Year for all of American motor racing, 2011 International Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee, and driver of the PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, JFR is additionally comprised of Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS driver Robert Hight, 2009 Funny Car champion and 2005 NHRA Rookie of the Year; Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS driver Courtney Force, 2012 NHRA Rookie of the Year; and Monster Energy Top Fuel Dragster driver Brittany Force, 2013 NHRA Rookie of the Year. For more information, please visit johnforceracing.com. Media Contact: Lee Montgomery   John Force Racing Public Relations (704) 258-0903  lmontgomery@johnforceracing.com Media Contact: Michael Harker John Force Racing Public Relations (386) 547-3943  mharker@johnforceracing.com Connect with us       John Force Racing | 498 Southpoint Circle, Brownsburg, IN 46112 Unsubscribe submit@theautochannel.com Update Profile | About our service provider Sent by lmontgomery@johnforceracing.com in collaboration with Try it free today